Wendy Arnold - Artist - Paintings

Wendy’s background in Fine Art studies followed by 13 years co-owning a highly successful street couture fashion label called Studiobaker Hawk have culminated in the development of an incredibly unique painting style. The adornment of the female figure remains a constant in her work, often adding asian imagery and cultural references. Wendy Arnold pulls on her printmaking background and weaves intricate patterns together with birds, flowers, metal leaf and fabric overlays to “dress” the female figure resulting in an exotic visual delight.

Artist Statement

In the 80’s and 90’s Wendy Arnold was one of the three owners and designers behind the highly successful fashion label Studibaker Hawk. Worn by rock stars and debutantes alike, and sold in Harrods of London, and retailers in New York, they took the local fashion industry by storm and there seemed no end to their meteoric rise. Wendy Arnold’s fine art background was the driving force behind the wildly individual signature prints, which were instantly recognisable as Studibaker originals of this street couture label. At the age of 40, however, true to a promise she had made 13 years before… she hung up her tape measure, and left the fashion industry behind to return to a career in fine art. Taking a studio space in Rozelle with a large group of practising artists, she threw herself back into painting and printmaking. The adornment of the female figure remains a constant in her work, almost a tribute to her years in the fashion industry. Wendy Arnold’s appropriation of Asian imagery and textile design is a consistently strong element of her work, often coloured with historical reference and popular culture resulting in a eclectic combination of the past, cultural diversity and pop imagery. The figures seem barely contained within the confines of the canvas. Birds and flowers interweave with gold leaf and the rich patterning to create an evocative combination of the nearly nude and demurely concealed

Curriculum Vitae

• Born New Zealand
• 1971            Migrated to Perth with family
• 1973-76        West Australian Institute of Technology (painting & printmaking)
• 1977-80        Extensive travel through Europe and the UK
• 1981            Alexander Mackie (College of Fine Arts, Sydney (postgraduate certificate)
• 1982            Co-founded ,co-owned prestgious fashion label ‘Studibaker Hawk’
• 1995            Left the fashion world to return to full-time painting
• 1998            Set up large studio artspace for 52 artists in Sydney’s inner west with Rogerio Blanc Ramos

Exhibitions

• 2018           "Allure" JahRoc Galleries, Margaret River WA
• 2016            “Primavera” Paul Gullotti Gallery WA
• 2015            “Memoir” Trevor Victor Harvey gallery Mosman
• 2014            “Gossip” Gallery One Southport Qld
• 2013            “Menagerie” Gadfly Gallery WA
• 2013            “Embodiment” Richard Martin Art, Sydney
• 2011            ‘Primavera’, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
• 2010            Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
• 2009            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2008            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2008            Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
• 2007            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2007            Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
• 2006            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2006            Paul Gullotti Gallery, Perth WA
• 2005            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2004            Shanghai Art Fair
• 2004            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2003            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2003            Jackman Gallery ,Melbourne
• 2002            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2002            Jackman Gallery, Melbourne
• 2003            Ground Floor Gallery, Sydney
• 2001            Exhibition in Paris at Galerie Say
• 2001            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 2000            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
• 1999            Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney

Awards and Prizes

• 2011           Portia Geach Portrait Prize (Finalist)
• 2008           John Glover Landscape Prize (finalist)
• 2005           Mosman Art Prize (finalist)
• 2004           Mosman Art Prize (finalist)

Collections

• BHP Billiton, ING, Stockland Hotel Group, Telstra, Gutterage Hasken & Davies, QBE Mercantile Mutual, SAS INS, Woolpack Hotel, Avillion Hotel, National Australia Bank, Fox Studios, Royal Motor Yacht Club, Ascot International.
• Wendy Arnold’s work is held in numerous private collections throughout Australia and New Zealand as well as Paris, Shanghai, London, Singapore, Barcelona, United States of America and Dubai.
• Recently commissioned to paint 4 pieces for the refurbishment of the new Star City Casino